Big decision on Upside Down attraction for Blackpool

Councillors have approved a new visitor attraction for Blackpool – the Upside Down House.

The attraction is a two-storey structure which is designed to appear to be upside down on its roof with a slight angle, creating novel scenarios with selfie opportunities inside, such as a bed appearing to be on the ceiling.

The Upside Down House is proving a success across the UK and Europe but has never opened in Blackpool before.

Now it has been permitted to set up on the site previously occupied by the Theatre D’amour, just to the north of South Pier, following the demolition of the puppet theatre in December.

The application put before Blackpool Council’s planning committee on Tuesday night was for erection of the house and the installation of an ancillary ticket office for a temporary period of three years on land north of South Pier.

Committee members unanimously approved the proposals, agreeing that the scheme would be a useful entertainment draw for Blackpool.

Although the planning officer expressed some concerns about the ‘piecemeal’ nature of the proposals, the fact that it would be on site for only three years weigh in its favour and it was recommended for approval.

Planning papers in support of the application said “The Upside-Down House  has a maximum height of approximately 7 metres, a depth of 13 metres and a width of 11 metres and is finished in ‘Ocean Blue’ colour, which compliments South Pier and the adjoining Sandcastle.

“The house will have wheelchair friendly pathways, allowing ease of access into the house and stands on a pre-cast concrete foundation that can be dismantled, returning the terrace to normal in as little as two days.”

The planning officer noted that the new attraction would be replacing the Theatre D’Amour which “until very recently, was essentially a large, poor-quality black box with a solid roller shutter on the east/front elevation.

“The replacement of an existing poor quality structure, the temporary nature of the proposal and the longer term benefits of the site being cleared and free for recreation after the 3 year temporary period, weighs more heavily in the planning balance in this instance.

“The scheme could support some limited job creation through the construction/demolition and operational phases and could increase tourism dwell time and spend in and around the site.”